Enfield FC 1-3 MK Irish

MK Irish produced a strong away performance to secure a deserved 3–1 victory over Enfield, with two goals from Harry Theakston and a fine second-half strike from Owen Brooks sealing the points.

Irish started on the front foot and created an early opening inside the first minute. A cross or shot from the left was spilled by the Enfield keeper and almost fell perfectly for Theakston, but the hosts were able to scramble clear at the last moment.

Irish continued to enjoy the better of the early attacking play and threatened again through Kyle Boyce and Callum Hirst, while Kwai Marsh-Brown caused problems down the left flank with his direct running. Hirst fired over from distance as Irish looked to turn their pressure into a breakthrough.

That breakthrough arrived on 22 minutes. Marsh-Brown picked up the ball on the left and, using the outside of his foot, delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the area. Theakston timed his run well and smashed the ball past the keeper from close range to open the scoring.

Enfield almost responded from a corner when a header was directed towards the far corner, but Ladyman produced an excellent save to push it away. Despite Irish looking comfortable, the hosts levelled on 39 minutes when a long ball forward was not dealt with. The Enfield forward applied pressure, got to the ball ahead of Kalek, knocked it around Ladyman and rolled it into the empty net.

Irish went close to regaining the lead before the break as pressure in the box led to a scramble and a couple of blocked efforts, but the sides went in level.

Half Time: Enfield 1–1 MK Irish

Irish started the second half brightly and were rewarded again on 55 minutes with a carbon copy of the opener. Marsh-Brown timed his run perfectly down the left and drove into the box before squaring the ball across goal. Enfield briefly stopped, expecting an offside flag that never came, and Theakston was on hand to finish from close range for his second of the afternoon.

Irish continued to press and looked dangerous on the break. On 72 minutes Hirst slipped Brooks into space inside the box and he fired towards goal, but the keeper made the save.

The third goal arrived on 74 minutes and capped a strong Irish spell. Guess collected the ball just outside the Enfield area and worked it into Brooks, who took a touch before curling a shot towards the far corner. The effort took a slight touch off a defender and the keeper got a fingertip to it, but there was enough power to carry it into the net.

Irish were not done and continued to create chances. Theakston came close to completing a hat-trick on 85 minutes, striking a half volley from the edge of the area that was saved by the keeper.

Enfield pushed late on, but Irish defended well and managed the closing stages professionally to see out a deserved away victory.

Full Time: Enfield 1–3 MK Irish

Theakston (22, 55), Brooks (74)

Man of the Match:
Harry Theakston

Irish delivered a composed and disciplined performance, with Marsh-Brown providing the creativity and Theakston taking his chances well, while Brooks’ second-half finish helped put the game beyond reach.